A team named after a legendary south-west volleyballer took out the Warrnambool Volleyball Association division one title on Sunday at Val Bertrand Stadium.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The DA's, short for Don Allen's, won a three sets to one battle against SWI. It was best of five.
The winning side tripped up in the third set but found its rhythm again in the last to record a 25-16, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16 victory.
READ MORE:
Allen, the team's skipper, was stoked with the outcome.
It was awesome, that first set was unreal, it was hard work in that first set.
- Don Allen
"It was awesome, that first set was unreal, it was hard work in that first set," he said.
His teammate Leon Stow agreed the first set had everything.
"It was good to get away to a good start and win the first set, it puts a bit of pressure on the opposition so it was really good," he said.
Stow explained the team managed to remain calm and collected in the first and second sets.
They got a bit rattled in the third set.
"We were up by a fair bit and we lost about seven (points) in a row," Allen said.
"Which you can do, volleyball is a bit of a head game so it turns around pretty quick."
Stow elaborated on the why the team was named after the captain.
"Donny is actually a legend, he's been playing volleyball for years and we thought it was appropriate that we just honour him," he said.
Allen first started playing with the association in 1987.
Clinton deMartin was awarded most valuable player for the match.
The DA's also featured some of the south-west's most talented young players including Gabby Lougheed and Tristan Gibbs.
Lougheed's list of achievements includes making the Australian Junior Women's Squad in 2019 and 2020.
Meanwhile, in division two Rali enjoyed a convincing straight sets win over Rookies.
Rali's Joseph Ahearn, a teenager, was most valuable player in the 25-14, 25-20, 25-20 triumph.
Division three saw Victrix beat Thumpers in a three sets to one battle.
Victrix's Jackson Gee was most valuable player as his side scored the 25-18, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22 win.
The season started in March and was interrupted by the state government's coronavirus pandemic restrictions much like other sports.
WVA will have a break for the school holidays before getting stuck into another season.
Anyone interested in playing is encouraged to visit the Warrnambool Volleyball Association - South West Pirates Facebook page.
Competition is usually played on Tuesday nights at The Arc on Caramut Road.
Division two is at 6.30pm and division one at 8pm.
WVA's big event for the year is the Seaside Volleyball Tournament which is held in March each year during the Labour Day long weekend.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.